Going into the offseason, the Chicago Bears face significant pressure after their playoff run in the NFC and have important decisions to make.
The Bears have a ton of pending free agents, including Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Nahshon Wright, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and D'Marco Jackson. There are also scenarios in which the Bears could release or trade players like DJ Moore, D'Andre Swift, and Cole Kmet.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles might have opportunities to make massive moves, but Chicago has more financial flexibility than most NFL teams. Over The Cap's Jason Fitzgerald shared data on potential contract restructurings in 2026, and the Bears ranked seventh with $85.9 million.
Bears have $85.9 million of flexibility to work with in offseason
Obviously, the Bears won't take every opportunity to create salary cap flexibility, but the team at least has plenty of wiggle room to do what they need to make room for money. Poles has the potential to look at where he could create at least $30-40 million of cap space to work with.
This presents a perfect opportunity for Poles to make some big moves in free agency or through trades. Chicago has been linked to media reports that want them to sign pass rusher Trey Hendrickson or trade for Maxx Crosby. They are going to command at least $30 million per year, so it makes sense to make a move for them and create that space to make it happen.
Restructuring some deals would also help the Bears bring back key players from last year's playoff team, like Byard, Brisker, Gardner-Johnson, and Jackson. Plus, add some key players in free agency, and the Bears could potentially be in line for a Super Bowl.
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Over The Cap has the Bears at $-5.3 million in salary cap space, so some cuts, trades, and restructurings are needed. Still, since they don't have to pay quarterback Caleb Williams generational money right now, the window is wide open to make moves now and gun for a Super Bowl title in 2026.